WEST SHORE BLUES: The Best of the Beats

Westlake Police “Are You OK” Success Story!

On 1/23/26 WPD dispatch received an alert that an elderly resident did not answer their phone when their arranged daily call was received.  Dispatch tried calling again but only received voice mail.  Officers were immediately sent to check on the welfare of the woman.  After receiving no answer at the door and speaking to the neighbors (who had the garage code), officers checked inside the house.  The woman had fallen in the family room and could not get herself up.  The officers helped her up and talked to her to assure she had no injuries.  This incident could have ended differently.

This is a good reminder – especially with the harsh weather – to check on your neighbors/relatives.

In cooperation with Westlake Community Services, WPD is proud to take care of some of our most vulnerable population.  Contact Outreach Coordinator Donna Feorene at dfeorene@cityofwestlake.org for more information or to sign up for the program. Westlake Community Services

Burglary and Assault

On 1/8/26 at about 5:15PM, a woman responded to the WPD station to report a burglary and assault that had occurred earlier. The 28yo resident had broken up with her boyfriend a couple of nights prior. During the early morning hours of 1/7/26 the victim was woken up by loud banging at her door. She observed that it was her ex outside. Believing that he would soon leave, she did not answer the door. The man entered the residence after tearing a screen and opening an unlocked window. The suspect, a 35yo Cleveland man, argued with the woman and eventually physically assaulted her. The man took the victim’s phone and prevented her from leaving the home for a time. He eventually returned the phone and fled the scene. Investigators learned that the suspect was on Federal Probation. Working with his probation officer, WPD Detectives had the man turn himself in to the WPD Jail on 1/9/26. The suspect was charged with Felony Aggravated Burglary. Additional charges including unlawful restraint and assault will be presented to the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury.

Felony Fleeing

On 1/10/26 at approx. 11:30PM, officers attempted to traffic stop a red Dodge Avenger on Columbia Rd at I90 for equipment and moving violations. The driver refused to yield to the lights and sirens of the pursuing cruiser. The chase was called off when the car exited the highway at Warren Rd. Rocky River officers pursued the suspect vehicle into Cleveland for a short time before also calling off the chase. Cleveland PD was notified of the incident. Cleveland officers soon found the abandoned vehicle near the registered owner’s residence on Sackett Ave in Cleveland. Westlake officers responded to Cleveland and towed the suspect vehicle for further investigation. A relative of the suspect driver was contacted at a home on Sackett. A warrant was obtained for the arrest of the 20yo female suspect. Detectives contacted the family and the young adult turned herself into the WPD jail on 1/13/26. She was charged with felony fleeing. Additional traffic charges including driving under a license suspension will be presented to the county grand jury.

Out at the Wheel

On 1/11/26 at about 2:45AM, WPD received a call from a concerned motorist who reported seeing a vehicle stopped in the middle of the lane on Columbia between Hilliard and Center Ridge Rd. Officers arrived and found the motionless car with the brake lights illuminated. Upon closer inspection, the driver was passed out behind the wheel with the transmission still in drive. Cruisers were used to block in the vehicle to prevent fleeing before waking up the driver. Reports indicate it took longer than a minute to get a response from the driver who pushed the power button on his radio instead of using the on—off button to shut down the engine as instructed. The 28yo Cleveland man appeared intoxicated but declined to perform field sobriety tests. He was arrested for OVI. Officers located a loaded 9mm firearm and an open container of Burnett’s liquor in the vehicle. The driver refused a breath test and was charged with OVI, Using weapons while intoxicated and possession of an open container in a motor vehicle which were all misdemeanors.

Disorderly Guest

On 1/16/26 at approx. 3:15PM WPD received a call from the clerk at the WestSpring Inn on Sperry regarding a disorderly guest. A female went to the hotel office to ask for sugar and coffee pods. When the employee went to retrieve the items, the hotel customer walked behind the counter and threw the hotel computer monitor on the floor damaging it. The hotel wished to evict the woman and prosecute her for criminal damaging. Officers responded to the hotel room and spoke with the woman. She was arrested for the criminal damaging and was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and smoking pipes as well. Felony possession of drugs was added to her list of charges.

Weaving and Speeding

On 1/17/26 at about 3:45AM, an officer on patrol observed a Kia SUV weaving and speeding on I90 W/B. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle in the area of the Lorain County Line. The driver failed to obey the officer’s signal to stop and accelerated away. The vehicle quickly exited at Nagle, almost struck a tow truck on the shoulder of the ramp, and failed to negotiate a turn at the top of the ramp. The SUV lost control, struck a guard rail and plummeted down a hill toward the nearby woods. The driver began to flee on foot but did soon obey the officer’s orders to stop. The 19yo Cleveland man was taken into custody without further incident. An ambulance transported the driver to the hospital to be checked out. The driver did not have a license and also was found to be wanted out of Bedford PD for aggravated menacing. The owner of the heavily damaged Kia was contacted and confirmed that the driver was not given permission to take the vehicle. The owner and the driver did know each other. The man was charged with felony fleeing, unauthorized use of a vehicle and various traffic charges.

Unwanted Man

On 1/21/26 at about 10:45AM, WPD received a call from a resident on Strauss Dr indicating that there was an unwanted man in the yard of the home. The caller indicated that the person was walking around outside the residence, had stolen things from the caller in the past and was not wanted there. Officers arrived to find the described male in a pickup in the driveway. In speaking to the driver, a 63yo Willowick man, the investigators noticed drug paraphernalia in plain view. Investigation revealed that the man was in possession of approx. 2.6g of methamphetamine as well as smoking pipes. He was arrested for felony possession of drugs. In speaking to the caller, the arrested man was not the person who had stolen from the complainant in the past. The suspect was actually legitimately there to do work on the house. The suspect was transported to the Westlake Jail.

Car v Building

On 1/22/26 at approx. 6PM, officers and Westlake Fire were sent to Walgreens on Center Ridge for a vehicle into the building. A 70yo female driver had a mishap after trying to park when she failed to place the vehicle into park. She then mistakenly pressed the gas pedal causing the small SUV to strike the side of the building. Luckily no one was injured. A report was generated while the Westlake Fire Department assessed the structural integrity of the pharmacy.

Harassing Ex

On Jan. 11, 2026 at 11:13pm, Bay Village Police were dispatched to Plymouth Drive. The caller reported her soon to be ex-husband was harassing her by repeatedly banging on the door and was now sitting in his car in the driveway. Officers arrived and spoke with the male who appeared to be under the influence. After an investigation, the male was placed under arrest for disorderly conduct – intoxication and was transported to the Bay Village Police Department. He is facing charges in Rocky River Municipal Court.

Fraud

On Jan. 12, 2026 at 4:32pm, a Bay Village resident arrived on station to report she was the victim of a Fraud. The resident owns a home in Bay Village that is being fraudulently posted for rent on Facebook Marketplace. Bay Village Detectives are investigating.

Unhappy Customer

On Jan. 13, 2026 at 9:02pm, a Bay Village resident contacted BVPD to report he was the victim of harassing communications. The male reported he owns a business and is dealing with an unhappy customer who has made physical threats against him and his employees. Bay Village Detectives are investigating.

Protective Sweep

On Jan. 14, 2026 at 9:15pm, a Bay Village resident arrived at the station to report she had arrived home earlier and she found her back door was open. Police responded to the home and did a protective sweep of the interior. They found nothing suspicious inside.

Courtesy Call

On Jan. 15, 2026 at 10:08am, Bay Village Police were contacted by a local bank in regards to one of their elderly customers. The bank employee reported there were issues with her accounts and they were trying to contact her. Police responded to the customer’s home to check her welfare. Officers made contact with the resident who reported she was having phone issues and that she would return the call to the bank.

Online Scam

On Jan. 16, 2026 at 2:36pm, a Bay Village resident arrived on station to report that he is possibly being extorted via an online scam. Bay Village Detectives are investigating.